Three cars torched in Bogside

Three vehicles were burned and more than a dozen petrol bombs thrown during disturbances in the Bogside area of the city on Thursday night.

The trouble began at around 7pm when a crowd of young people began to gather at the bottom of Fahan Street shortly after the return journey of the Orange Order’s July 12th parade in the city centre.

A number of the young people, some of whom were wearing masks, made their way up the grass verge at Fahan Street and threw petrol bombs over the city walls towards the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall on Society Street.

A car parked on Fahan Street was also set on fire at around 7.30pm.

The PSNI urged motorists to avoid the area in order to avoid the disorder.

The number of young people in the area increased throughout the evening and many of them were drinking alcohol.

A man in his 50s was dragged from a car at the bottom of the Flyover shortly after 11pm and the car was later burned out on Fahan Street. Kate Nash, a sister of the man pulled from the car, claimed that one of the hijackers was armed with a gun.

A fast food delivery van was later hijacked and set alight at the bottom of Westland Street.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Patricia Logue condemned the distrubances. “Sadly a small criminal element was intent on not letting the day pass without starting trouble, burning vehicles and terrorising people in their homes, many of whom who are elderly.

“The community response in recent weeks has shown clearly that neither the residents of the area nor indeed the greater Bogside want this sort of nonsense to continue, it should be stopped immediately. It’s very disappointing that their efforts and all the great work of many groups over recent days to try and have a peaceful week can be wrecked by the actions of a few,” she said.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police would appeal to parents to ensure that they know where their children are and what they are doing. Any young people involved in this type of activity can expect to face the consequences of their actions - which can range from being taken into custody, taken home to parents and indeed being placed before the courts on criminal charges.